Cylindrical Cargo Container Construction

ABSTRACT

A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container includes: providing a plurality of rigid panels together formable into a cylindrical shell; forming a first semi-cylindrical shell from a first set of the panels; forming a second semi-cylindrical shell from a second set of the panels; forming the cylindrical shell from the first semi-cylindrical shell and the second semi-cylindrical shell; forming a collar conformably encircling the cylindrical shell; constricting the collar to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels; rolling the cylindrical shell and collar to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to a lower position, and welding an inside seam of the joint when at the lower position; removing the collar from the cylindrical shell; and rolling the cylindrical shell to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to an upper position, and welding an outside of the joint when at the upper position.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/471,835 filed on Jun. 20, 2019, which is a U.S. NationalPhase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No.PCT/CA2017/051544 filed on Dec. 19, 2017, which claims the benefit ofpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/562,001filed on Sep. 22, 2017, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 62/436,960 filed on Dec. 20, 2016, the entire disclosures of whichare all expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to cylindrical cargo containersincluding cylindrical cargo containers for tanker trucks, trailers, andrailcars, as well as tanker trucks, trailers, and railcars havingcylindrical cargo containers.

BACKGROUND

Cylindrical cargo containers, such as the containers for tanker (ortank) trucks, trailers, and railcars, are widely used to transportvarious materials such as liquefied loads, dry bulk cargo, or gases onroads or rails. Whether incorporated in a tanker truck where thecontainer is mounted on a chassis and wheeled suspension commonly withthe truck, or a tanker trailer where the container is mounted on its ownchassis and wheeled suspension which is towed by a tractor, or arailroad tanker car, the container is typically cylindrical in shape andis mounted on and supported by a chassis and wheeled suspension. Otherconfigurations are possible.

Cylindrical cargo containers have many advantages which explain theirwidespread use. Based on simple geometry, for any given volume acylinder has a smaller surface area than a typical rectangular,box-shaped cargo container. As such, all other factors being equal, acylindrical container can have both a higher ratio of cargo weight tocontainer weight, and of cargo weight to container materials than acontainer of another shape. Moreover, cylindrical containers typicallyhave a more aerodynamic shape. Both of these factors result in a lessertowing or carrying load, and thus lesser truck or tractor powerrequirements, and better fuel economy.

Typically, such cylindrical containers have a construction including askin formed of a rigid and resilient plate material, usually metal, suchas rolled sheet steel or aluminum, and a frame structure, such asannular and longitudinal ribbed beam structure, which may includevertical bands or ribs, to provide shape and strength, and to supportthe skin, which is affixed to the frame, sometimes by welds. In othercases, a less sturdy and resilient material is used, such as fiberglassor reinforced plastic. In any event, the frame is typically mounted onand supported by the chassis of the truck, trailer, or railcar, and thusthe weight of any load contained by the tank is communicated to thechassis ultimately by this frame.

While sometimes the structural frame is disposed at least partly outsideof the sheet metal skin, such that at least part of the structural frameis exposed to the outside, doing so usually has the disadvantage ofdegrading the aerodynamics of the container resulting from windresistance at the projecting portions. As such, in many cases, thestructural frame is completely or mostly enveloped by the sheet metalskin. In some cases, doing so presents a different kind of disadvantage,including for example reduction of the useful volume of the container,or inclusion of obstructions within the container which may impedemovement of its contents.

While, as noted, cylindrical tanks are widely used to haul many types ofcargo, they are not generally used to haul solid waste such as municipalor industrial garbage. Certain problems arise in this connection,including that cylindrical trailers of conventional construction, asdescribed above, which are sufficiently rigid to withstand the force ofgarbage compaction, require a volume of structural frame members whichrenders the trailer too heavy with respect to the economies applicableto waste hauling. To put it another way, while cylindrical trailers ofconventional construction were known, their use for hauling waste wasuneconomical.

Moreover, in connection with any type of cargo, it is desirable toachieve yet greater efficiencies and advantages from improvedconstruction and use of cylindrical containers which reduce cost andprovide new and enhanced uses.

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/436,960, the entirety ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a cylindrical cargocontainer which overcomes many of the above-described drawbacks, andprovides further advantages. FIGS. 1 to 3 show a cylindrical cargotrailer 100 as disclosed therein. The trailer has a container 110mounted on and supported by a wheeled suspension 120. The container hasa generally cylindrical shape, having a corresponding length along alongitudinal axis L of the container (shown in FIG. 2), and a generallycircular cross-section characterized by a traverse width or diameter.The container 110 has a front end 130 and an rear end 140 oppositelydisposed along the longitudinal axis of the container, and these may beconfigured in any desired manner, which may depend at least in part onan intended function of the trailer.

For example, if the trailer 100 is configured for use as a tankertrailer for liquefied loads, dry bulk cargo, or gases, then the frontend 130 and the rear end 140 of the container may include a front wall135 and an end wall (not shown), respectively, joined to and enclosing acylindrical tube, and the container 110 may have means for loading andunloading the container, such as one or more closeable openings (notshown) at a side of the container, as is known in the field.

In other configurations, the container may have a front wall 135 at itsfront end, but at its rear end may instead have a rear opening 143 forloading and unloading cargo. A plane or face of the rear opening mayhave any desired configuration, and for example form any desired anglewith a longitudinal axis of the trailer, which may be, for example,perpendicular or oblique.

The container 110 may have a tailgate 147 for closing the rear opening143. The tailgate may be movably mounted at or adjacent a perimeter ofthe opening 143 in any convenient manner. For example, the tailgate 147may be hingedly mounted, at or adjacent an edge of the tailgate, at oradjacent an upper edge of the opening, as shown in FIGS. 1 & 2, suchthat the tailgate 147 is openable by rotating the tailgate 147 upwardlyusing the hinges 360, and closeable by the opposite motion.Alternatively, the tailgate 147 may be hingedly mounted, at or adjacentan edge of the tailgate, at or adjacent a lateral edge, such as a rightedge or left edge, of the opening such that the tailgate 147 is openableby rotating the tailgate 147 laterally, that is to one side, using thehinges, and closeable by the opposite motion. The container 110 mayinclude an appropriate locking mechanism 325 selectively to maintain thetailgate 147 in a locked configuration or to permit the tailgate 147 toopen. In this way, the tailgate 147 may be closed to retain cargo in thecontainer 110, and opened to permit loading or discharge of cargo to orfrom the container 110.

In particular, in some embodiments the trailer 100 may be configured asa tipper trailer, having the tailgate 147 mounted at or adjacent theupper edge of the opening 143. When the trailer is tipped in a mannerknown in the art, the tailgate 147 may be configured to swing open underits own weight to open the rear opening 143 and to permit discharge ofcargo from the container 110. When the locking mechanism 325 of thetailgate 147 is in the locked configuration the tailgate 147 is keptclosed, while in the unlocked configuration the tailgate 147 is allowedto open, including by swinging open as previously described. Such tippertrailers may be used to carry municipal or industrial waste, and may beconfigured to cooperate with tipping mechanisms located at wastelandfills to tip the trailer 100 while the locking mechanism 325 isunlocked to discharge the waste from the trailer 100 into the landfill.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the container 110 may be formed oflongitudinal extruded panels 150. As shown in FIG. 5, each panel mayhave an outer skin 152, an inner skin 154, and a plurality of webs 156spanning the outer skin 152 and the inner skin 154. The panels 150 maybe formed of any suitable material, which may be a metal, which may besteel or aluminum. The outer skin 152, the inner skin 154, and the webs156 may have any respective dimensions. The following are non-limitingexamples. The outer skin 152 may have a thickness of at least 1 mm, orfrom 1 mm to 4 mm, or from 2 mm to 3 mm, or about 2.5 mm. The inner skin154 may have a thickness of at least 2 mm, or from 2 mm to 5 mm, or from3 mm to 4 mm, or about 3.5 mm. The webs 156 may each have a thickness154 may have a thickness of at least 1 mm, or from 1 mm to 4 mm, or from2 mm to 3 mm, or about 2.5 mm. The outer skin 152 and the inner skin 154may be spaced by a gap of at least 30 mm, or from 30 mm to 45 mm, orfrom 35 mm to 40 mm, or about 38 mm. The webs 156 may be provided in anydesired number, which may be at least 6, or 6 to 12, or 8 to 10, orabout 9. The webs 156 may be spaced by a gap or at least 15 mm, or 15 mmto 35 mm, or 20 mm to 30 mm, or about 25 mm. Other configurations arepossible.

In order to form, when assembled, the cylindrical tube of the container110 having a circular cross-section, as shown particularly in FIG. 4,each panel 150 may be extruded having a cross-section generally arcuatein shape, as shown particularly in FIG. 5, which for all of the panels150 may have a common arc radius R, or degree of curvature, as shown inFIG. 4. The panels 150 may all have the same arc length S, as shown inFIG. 4, or some of the panels 150 may have a different arc length S fromother ones of the panels. Any suitable combination is possible. As shownparticular in FIG. 5, each panel 150 may be extruded with a tongue 158at a first edge at one end of the arc and a groove 159 at an oppositeedge at an opposite end of the arc. The tongues 158 and grooves 159 ofthe different panels 150 may be configured with respective sizes andshapes to couple fittingly. In this way, a plurality of the panels 150may be joined at abutting edges by mating the tongue 158 of one panel150 with the groove 159 of an abutting panel 150 to form a joint 160,and as shown particularly in FIG. 4 multiple panels may be so joined insequence to form the cylindrical tube. Each of the joints 160 so formedmay be cemented or affixed by any suitable means, which may includefasteners or welds. The panels 150 may be of any desired length, whichmay include a length which bridges the front end 130, which may includethe front wall 135, and the rear end 140, which may include an end wall(not shown) or the rear opening 143, as the case may be—in other words,the entire length of the container 110. All of the panels 150 may havethe same length, or first ones of the panels 150 may have a first lengthdifferent from a second length of second ones of the panels 150. Furthercombinations are possible.

As shown particularly in FIG. 6, some of the panels 150 may includepanels 151 extruded with a profile including one or more projectionsconfigured for selected purposes. For example, and as shown in FIG. 4one or more, which may be two, of the panels 151 may be extruded withlongitudinal rails 170 or flanges to be coupled to a chassis 122 of thewheeled suspension 120, for example by fasteners or welds, for mountingthe container 110 to the wheeled suspension 120. In such case, theprofiles, include the two profiles, may be configured in such a way thatthe mounting rails 170 or flanges are positioned and shaped in such away that is generally symmetrical relative to a vertical plane extendinglongitudinally and intersecting a center of the circular cross-sectionof the container 110, as shown particularly in FIG. 4. Such mountingrails 170 may also be configured, sized, and shaped to providestructural strength to the container 110. Other projections may insteador also be included in the extrusion profile of one or more panels 150for any desired purpose, for example for attachment of landing gear 124or a fifth wheel, or hitch 126.

Where the panel 151 has a mounting rail 170, the outer skin 152, theinner skin 154, and/or one or more of the webs 156 of the panel 151 maybe respectively formed with a greater thickness to provide additionalstrength and rigidity at or about the portion of the panel 151 adjoiningthe rail 170, so as better to communicate the weight of the container110 and its contents to the rail 170 and thence to the wheeledsuspension 120. The panel 151 may be formed with its outer skin 152,inner skin 154, and/or webs 156 having respective thicknesses which areuniformly greater relative to the corresponding thicknesses of otherones of the panels 150 not having the rail 170. Alternatively, the panel151 may be formed such that the respective thicknesses of its outer skin152 and/or inner skin 154 are generally similar to those of neighbouringpanels 150 where the panel 151 adjoins neighbouring panels 150, i.e. ator about its tongue 158 and groove 159, but where the respectivethicknesses of its outer skin 152 and/or inner skin 154 grow approachingthe portion of the panel 151 which is adjacent to and/or adjoins therail 170. Similarly, the webs 156 of the panel 151 in the portion of thepanel 151 which is adjacent to and/or adjoins the rail 170 may have athickness which is relatively greater than a thickness of the remainingwebs 156 of the panel 151, where the thickness of such remaining websmay be substantially similar to the webs 156 of the other panels 150 nothaving the rail 170. As with the outer skin 152 and the inner skin 154of the panel 151, the webs 156 may grow in thickness approaching theportion of the panel 151 which is adjacent to and/or adjoins the rail170.

The longitudinal panels 150 so provided, assembled, joined, and affixed,to form the cylindrical tube of the container 110, may be configured tofunction as structural members, and provide each panel 150, and theassembled container 110 as a whole, with structural strength andrigidity both along and transverse the longitudinal axis L of thecontainer. As such, no further reinforcing means may be required, suchas annular bands or ribs required by conventional cylindricalcontainers.

Moreover, due to the lack of any need for such additional structuralmembers, both the inside and the outside surfaces of the container 110may be made completely smooth, without or with minimal projections. Withrespect to the outside surface of the container 110, this provides thecontainer with an optimal aerodynamic profile. With respect to theinside surface of the container 110, this completely or maximallyreduces the catching, or snagging, or other such impediment to movementof the cargo within the container 110 along the inside surface, therebyfacilitating loading and unloading of cargo from the container 110.

Depending upon the intended use of the container 110, the particularconfiguration of the panels provides yet further advantages.

For example, when the trailer 100 is configured as a tanker trailer forliquefied loads, dry bulk cargo, or gases, the outside skin 152 of thepanels 150 may provide protection against impact or puncture from acollision or other blow coming from outside of the container 110. Insuch case, the blow may cause a rupture in the outer skin 152 of a panel150, but nevertheless the inner skin 154 may remain intact and itsstructural integrity unaffected or minimally affected by the presence ofthe rupture in the outer skin 152.

A similar advantage may be realized when the trailer 100 is configuredfor the transport of waste, such as municipal or industrial garbage. Oneissue related to the transport of such waste is that it typically exudesleachate, being liquid which has passed through or about the solid wasteand which has extracted soluble or suspended solids. It is desirable toavoid the release of leachate in an uncontrolled manner, as it isregarded to be an environmental hazard. It is desirable, therefore, toensure that it is not released during transport. Municipal or industrialwaste typically includes hard objects, however, which may puncture asurface of a container upon impact. In such case, the presentcylindrical container 110, by virtue of the panels 150 having both aninner skin 154 and an outer skin 152, may provide a means of preventionof discharge of leachate, inasmuch as the release of any leachatefollowing puncture of the inner skin 154, for example by impact withhard objects contained in the waste, may be contained by the outer skin152. Moreover, the webs 156 of the panel 150 may provide one or morechannels which limit movement of the leachate.

While the above description relates to a cylindrical trailer, the sameprinciples are applicable to a cylindrical container mounted to aunitary chassis with a truck, as is done in a tanker truck, oralternatively as a tanker railcar. The size and configuration of thecylindrical container may be selected for mounting on the chassis of atanker truck or tanker railcar, as appropriate.

With reference to FIGS. 5 & 6, the container 110 of FIGS. 1 to 3 mayinclude a plurality of longitudinal channels 180 formed in the wall ofthe container 110, in particular formed by the inner skin 154, outerskin 152, and webs 156 of the extruded panels 150. Such longitudinalchannels 180 may extend a part or an entirety of the length of thecontainer 110. For at least one of the channels 180, the container 110may have an inlet (not shown) at one end of the channel 180 and anoutlet (not shown) at an opposite end of the channel 180. The channel180 may be used to carry fluid fed into the inlet and drained from theoutlet. A number of the channels 180 may be so configured. A feedmanifold (not shown) may be coupled to the inlets, either by direct,rigid couplings or pipes, or by a corresponding number of flexiblehoses. The trailer 100 may have a fluid supply apparatus (not shown),which may include a pump (not shown) to pump fluid to the inlet manifoldand from there to the channels. A return manifold (not shown) may becoupled to the channel outlets, either by direct, rigid couplings orpipes (not shown), or by a corresponding number of flexible hoses, toreturn spent fluid to the fluid supply apparatus.

The fluid supply apparatus may include a fluid heating device (notshown) to heat the fluid. In this way, heated fluid may be pumped intothe wall of the container 110 to warm the container wall, and circulateback to the fluid heating device to be reheated. Such a configurationmay be useful when the container forms part of a truck, trailer, orrailcar used in a cold climate, and it is desired to prevent or reducefreezing or sticking of the contents of the container to an insidesurface of the container due to the cold temperatures. Similarly, thefluid supply apparatus may include a fluid cooling device (not shown) tocool the fluid. In this way, cooled fluid may be pumped into thecontainer walls channels to cool the container wall, and circulate backto the fluid cooling device to be re-cooled. In this way the fluidsupply apparatus may be used to cool the contents of the container. Thefluid heating device or fluid cooling device may include a pump to pumpthe fluid through the channels and supply pipes, hoses, and/or manifold,and may be connected to be powered by an engine of a truck to which thetrailer is hitched, or the container is mounted, or a locomotive forpulling a railcar.

The fluid supply apparatus with fluid heating device may besubstantially similar to the teaching of U.S. Pat. No. 8,662,405, theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference, and for examplemay include the feed manifold, hot fluid source, valves, pipes, returnmanifold, and return pipe disclosed therein. Similarly, the channelinlets and outlets may include holes and plugs for feeding and emptyingthe fluid. The teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 8,662,405 may be adapted toprovide a cooled liquid, instead of a heated liquid, for a containeradapted to cool its contents, as described above.

Alternatively, the channels formed in the container wall may be filledwith insulation. The channels may also be used to run electrical orplumbing lines along the length of the container, and may be configuredwith plastic liners, with appropriate inlets and outlets for passage ofthe electrical or plumbing lines into or out of the channels.

The truck, trailer, or railcar may be used with a compactor, for exampleto compact municipal or industrial waste in the container as it isloaded. While the use of conventional rectangular, box-shaped containersto receive, compact, and transport waste is well-known and widespread,the use of cylindrical containers for this purpose is unknown for thereasons given above, namely that cylindrical containers of conventionalconstruction which are sufficiently rigid to withstand the force ofcompaction are too heavy for economical use for waste transport. Thedisclosed cylindrical trailers, formed of extruded panels, solve thisproblem. Moreover, such cylindrical trailers possess a material advanceover conventional rectangular trailers for use in waste transportspecifically in relation to the process of compaction. One problemroutinely experienced during compaction of waste in rectangular trailersis that the waste often develops outward pressure in all directions,including against the inward faces of the sidewalls of the container,resulting in outward bulging or bowing of the sidewalls. As a result,the sidewalls must typically be constructed to withstand greaterpressure, leading to increase materials requirements, container weight,and cost. With a cylindrical container, however, this outward force isevenly distributed about the circumference of the circular cross-sectionof the container thereby avoiding such problematic bulging and moreoveravoiding enabling lighter construction. Another problem experienced inthe use of rectangular containers for compaction and transport of wasteis that it is common for waste to be pressed into and stuck in thecorners formed by the rectangular shape of the box. Additional time andeffort, or extra measures, are often required to remove this stuck wastewhen the trailer is tipped for removal of the waste. The disclosedcylindrical trailer lacks such corners, however, and thus removal ofwaste by tipping or otherwise is facilitated.

A cylindrical container for a truck, trailer, or railcar as disclosed inU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/436,960 has numerous furtheradvantages. It may be made smooth inside and outside, with optimalaerodynamics. Compared to traditional tanker containers it may also havereduced weight. Both of these advantages may result in better fueleconomy. The extruded panels, having inner and outer skins, may provideimpact protection from without, and as well content retention protectionfrom within, in the event of puncturing impacts. It may bestraightforward and cost-effective to provide linear items, such asrails for mounting to the chassis, or for mounting landing gear or ahitch, by including them in the extrusion profile of one or more of thepanels.

While the container, tanker truck, trailer, and railcar disclosed inU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/436,960 overcomes many of thedrawbacks and provides further advantages over prior teachings, thereremains a need for efficient and reliable methods of manufacturingcylindrical cargo containers formed of longitudinal curved panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the attached Figures.

FIG. 1 shows a first perspective view of a previous cylindrical cargotrailer having a container formed of longitudinal extruded panels.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the previous cylindrical cargo trailer ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a second perspective view of the previous cylindrical cargotrailer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a container of the previouscylindrical cargo trailer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a single longitudinal extruded panelof the previous cylindrical cargo trailer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a single longitudinal extruded panelhaving an integral extrusion providing a longitudinal rail or flange tobe coupled to a chassis of a wheeled suspension, of the previouscylindrical cargo trailer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a cylindrical cargo trailer having acylindrical container formed of longitudinal curved panels.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the cylindrical cargo trailer of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical container of thecylindrical cargo trailer of FIG. 7. FIG. 9A shows a detail view of atongue-and-groove joint of curved panels forming the cylindricalcontainer.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a cylindrical shell formed of curvedpanels encompassed by a plurality of collars.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical shell andcollars of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11A shows a detail view of constricting means of the collars. FIG.11B shows a detail view of a recess of a ring segments of the collarreceiving a longitudinal rail of the cylindrical shell.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a cradle formed of a set of ringsegments resting on tank rollers.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the cradle of FIG. 12 and apartly-assembled first semi-cylindrical shell. FIG. 13A shows a detailview illustrating formation of a tongue-and-groove joint of panelsassembled to form the first semi-cylindrical shell.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the cradle and firstsemi-cylindrical shell of FIG. 13 and circular spacing disks restingupright in the first semi-cylindrical shell.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the cradle and firstsemi-cylindrical shell of FIG. 13 and circular spacing rings restingupright in the first semi-cylindrical shell.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the cradle, first semi-cylindricalshell, and circular spacing disks of FIG. 14, and a partly-assembledsecond semi-cylindrical shell.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the cradle, cylindrical shell,circular spacing disks, and assembly of collars encircling thecylindrical shell.

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of the collars and cylindrical shell ofFIG. 17 with the circular spacing disks removed.

FIG. 19 shows an end view of the assembly of collars and cylindricalshell illustrating welding of inner joint seams and rolling on tankrollers to bring the seams to a lower position, where the weldingassembly has a single welding torch.

FIG. 20 shows an end view of the assembly of collars and cylindricalshell illustrating welding of inner joint seams and rolling on tankrollers to bring the seams to a lower position, where the weldingassembly has two welding torches.

FIG. 21 shows an end view of the cylindrical shell having welded innerjoint seams, with the collars removed, and illustrating welding of outerjoint seams and rolling on tank rollers to bring the outer joint seamsto an upper position, where the welding assembly has a single weldingtorch.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargocontainer.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a raised roller apparatus suspending acylindrical shell for welding of inner and/or outer joint seams, androlling of the cylindrical shell to position the inner seams at lowerpositions and outer seams at upper positions.

Throughout the drawings, sometimes only one or fewer than all of theinstances of an element visible in the view are designated by a leadline and reference character, for the sake only of simplicity and toavoid clutter. It will be understood, however, that in such cases, inaccordance with the corresponding description, that all other instancesare likewise designated and encompassed by the correspondingdescription.

DESCRIPTION

A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container, and anapparatus for performing the method, are disclosed herein.

FIGS. 7 & 8 show a cylindrical cargo trailer 200. The trailer 200 has acontainer 210 mounted on and supported by a wheeled suspension 220. Thecontainer 210 has a generally cylindrical shape, having a correspondinglength along a longitudinal axis L* of the container (shown in FIG. 8),and a generally circular cross-section characterized by a traverse widthor diameter. The container 210 has a front end 230 and an rear end 240oppositely disposed along the longitudinal axis L* of the container 210,and these may be configured in any desired manner, which may depend atleast in part on an intended function of the trailer.

The container 210 may have a tailgate 247 for closing the rear opening243. The tailgate 247 may be movably mounted at or adjacent a perimeterof the opening 243 in any convenient manner. For example, the tailgate247 may be hingedly mounted, at or adjacent an edge of the tailgate, ator adjacent an upper edge of the opening, such that the tailgate 247 isopenable by rotating the tailgate 247 upwardly using the hinges 248, andcloseable by the opposite motion. Alternatively, the tailgate 247 may behingedly mounted, at or adjacent an edge of the tailgate, at or adjacenta lateral edge, such as a right edge or left edge, of the opening suchthat the tailgate 247 is openable by rotating the tailgate 247laterally, that is to one side, using the hinges, and closeable by theopposite motion. The container 210 may include an appropriate lockingmechanism selectively to maintain the tailgate 247 in a lockedconfiguration or to permit the tailgate 247 to open. In this way, thetailgate 247 may be closed to retain cargo in the container 210, andopened to permit loading or discharge of cargo to or from the container210

The container 210 may be formed of longitudinal curved panels 250. Thepanels 250 may be formed of a continuous thickness of resilient platematerial and shaped, which may be by bending, extrusion, rolling, or anyother suitable technique, to provide the longitudinal curved panels 250with a common curvature. The panels 250 may be formed of any suitablematerial, which may be a metal, which may be steel or aluminum, and haveany suitable dimensions including thickness. The following arenon-limited examples. In some embodiments, the panels 250 have athickness of between 0.5″ and 6″ (1.27 cm and 15.24 cm), or between 1″and 4″ (2.54 cm and 10.16 cm), or about 1.5″ (3.81 cm).

Other materials and manufacturing techniques are possible, and theprinciples disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to anyparticular materials or manufacturing techniques to produce the panels.For example, the principles disclosed herein may be applicable where thepanels are formed of non-metals including plastics, for examplethermoplastics, including for example high density polyethylene, orfiberglass. So long as the panels are sufficiently rigid and strong inview of the principles disclosed herein, any and all differentmaterials, dimensions, and manufacturing techniques are possible.

In order to form, when assembled, the cylindrical tube of the container210 having a circular cross-section, as shown particularly in FIG. 9,each panel 250 may have a cross-section generally arcuate in shape,which for all of the panels 250 may have a common arc radius R*, ordegree of curvature. The panels 250 may all have the same arc length S*,or some of the panels 250 may have a different arc length S* from otherones of the panels 250. Any suitable combination is possible. Thefollowing are non-limiting examples. In some embodiments, the panels 250have an arc radius R* of between 2.5′ and 6′ (0.762 m and 1.8288 m), orbetween 3.5′ and 5′ (1.0668 m and 1.524 m), or about 51″ (1.2954 m). Insome embodiments, the panels 250 have an arc length S* of between 10″and 32″ (25.4 cm and 81.28 cm), or between 18″ and 26″ (45.72 cm and66.04 cm), or about 22″ (55.88 cm).

As shown particularly in FIG. 9A, each panel 250 may be formed with atongue 258 at a first edge at one end of the arc and a groove 259 at anopposite edge at an opposite end of the arc. The tongues 258 and grooves259 of the different panels 250 may be configured with respective sizesand shapes to couple fittingly. In this way, a plurality of the panels250 may be joined at abutting edges by mating the tongue 258 of onepanel 250 with the groove 259 of an abutting panel 250 to form a joint260, and as shown particularly in FIG. 9 multiple panels may be sojoined in sequence to form the cylindrical tube. Each of the joints 260so formed may be cemented or affixed by any suitable means, which mayinclude fasteners or welds. Other mating means or techniques arepossible. For example, instead of a tongue-and-groove arrangement, theedge of one adjacent panel may be rounded with a preconfigured convexcurvature, and the edge of the mating adjacent panel may be rounded witha preconfigured concave curvature matching the convex curvature, suchthat the first convex rounded edge abuts fittingly the second concaverounded edge. Other suitable mating arrangements may be used.

The panels 250 may be of any desired length, which may include a lengthwhich bridges the front end 230 and the rear end 240 of the container210—in other words, the entire length of the container 210. All of thepanels 250 may have the same length, or first ones of the panels 250 mayhave a first length different from a second length of second ones of thepanels 250. Further combinations are possible. The following arenon-limiting examples. In some embodiments, the panels 250 have a lengthof between 20′ and 100′ (6.096 m and 30.48 m), or between 40′ and 80′(12.192 m and 24.384 m), or between 50′ and 60′ (15.24 m and 18.288 m),or about 56′ (17.0688 m), or about 53′ (16.1544 m).

As shown particularly in FIG. 9, some of the panels 250 may includepanels 251 formed with a profile including one or more projectionsconfigured for selected purposes. For example, and as shown in FIG. 9one or more, which may be two, of the panels 251 may be formed withlongitudinal rails 270 or flanges to be coupled to a chassis 222 of thewheeled suspension 220, for example by fasteners or welds, for mountingthe container 210 to the wheeled suspension 220. In such case, theprofiles, include the two profiles, may be configured in such a way thatthe mounting rails 270 or flanges are positioned and shaped in such away that is generally symmetrical relative to a vertical planelongitudinally bisecting the container 210, as shown particularly inFIG. 9. Such mounting rails 270 may also be configured, sized, andshaped to provide structural strength to the container 210. Otherprojections may instead or also be included in the extrusion profile ofone or more panels 250 for any desired purpose, for example forattachment of landing gear 224 or a fifth wheel, or hitch 226.

As indicated above, the trailer 200 and container 210 may be embodied asa trailer 100 and container 110, respectively, as described in U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/436,960, and as described aboveand shown in FIGS. 1-6. In particular, one or more of the wheeledsuspension 220, front end 230, rear end 240, longitudinal axis L*,longitudinal curved panels 250, common arc radius R*, arc length S*,tongue 258, groove 259, joints 260, panels 251, longitudinal rails 270,landing gear 224, hitch 226, tailgate 247, rear opening 243, and hinges248 may be embodied as the wheeled suspension 120, front end 130, rearend 140, longitudinal axis L, longitudinal extruded panels 250, commonarc radius R, arc length S, tongue 158, groove 159, joints 160, panels151, longitudinal rails 170, landing gear 124, hitch 126, tailgate 147,rear opening 143, and hinges 360, respectively. Moreover, at least someof the various properties and advantages described above as beingpossessed by the trailer 100 and/or container 110 may likewise bepossessed by the trailer 200 and/or container 210.

As noted above, the above-described cylindrical cargo container 110possesses numerous advantages over previous cylindrical cargocontainers. There is further material value in an efficient and reliablemethod 300 of manufacturing such a cylindrical cargo container 110, asshown in FIGS. 10-23.

The method 300 includes providing a plurality of rigid panels 400together formable into a cylindrical shell 405 (step 305). A firstsemi-cylindrical shell 410 is formed from panels 415 of a first set ofthe panels 400 (step 310), a second semi-cylindrical shell 420 is formedfrom panels 425 of a second set of the panels 400 (step 315), and thecylindrical shell 405 is formed from the first semi-cylindrical shell410 and the second semi-cylindrical shell 420 (step 320). One or morecollars 430 are formed which conformably encircle the cylindrical shell405 (step 325). The collars 430 are constricted to compress joints 435formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels 400 (step 330). Thecylindrical shell 405 and collars 430 are then rolled about alongitudinal axis of the cylindrical shell 405 to bring respectivejoints 435 of pairs of panels 400 to a lower position 440, and an insideseam 445 of the joint 435 is welded when at the lower position 440 toform a welded inside seam 446 (step 335). The collars 430 are removed(step 340), and the cylindrical shell 405 is rolled about thelongitudinal axis of the cylindrical shell 405 to bring respectivejoints 435 of pairs of panels 400 to an upper position 450, and anoutside seam 455 of the joint 435 is welded when at the upper position450 to form a welded outside seam 456 (step 345).

The cylindrical shell 405 may constitute container 210, the panels 400may be the longitudinal curved panels 250, and each panel 400 mayinclude an oblong cylinder segment of the cylindrical shell 405. Herein,“cylinder segment” includes a portion of a cylinder bounded by a secantplane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. In addition,“cylindrical shell” includes a 3D annulus, being a projection of a 2Dannulus along the axis of rotational symmetry of the 3D annulus—or, inother words, a hollow cylinder, or tube. One or more of the panels 400may be panels 401, which may be panels 251, formed with a profileincluding one or more projections. For example, one or more, which maybe two, of the panels 401 may be formed with longitudinal rails 457 orflanges to be coupled to a chassis 222 of the wheeled suspension 220,for example by fasteners or welds, for mounting the containercylindrical shell 405 to the wheeled suspension 220. Thus, these panels401 may be panels 251, and the longitudinal rails 457 may belongitudinal rails 270.

A plurality of pairs of ring segments 460 may be formable into collars430 sized and shaped conformably to encircle the cylindrical shell 405,as best seen in FIGS. 10 & 11. Herein, “ring” includes an annular shape,and “ring segment” includes an angular portion of the annulus, or aportion of the annulus bound be a secant. An inside surface of thecylindrical shell 405 and an outside surface of the ring segments 460may have, or be characterized by, a common curvature R*, such that thecollars 430 fittingly encircle the cylindrical shell 405. Each of thering segments may be formed of any suitable material of sufficientdurability, rigidity, and strength, including in some embodiments steelor stainless steel.

As best seen in FIG. 12, a first set of the ring segments 460 may bering segments 465 which form a cradle 470, wherein the ring segments 465are longitudinally spaced and aligned concentrically to form asemi-cylindrical frame conformable to the cylindrical shell 405. By“aligned concentrically”, it is meant that the respective circular axesof rotation of the ring segments 465, being the circular axis ofsymmetry of the annulus of which the ring segment 465 is a part, aregenerally aligned, which may include being coincident. By“longitudinally spaced”, it is meant that the ring segments 465 arespaced along a longitudinal axis, which may include that coincidentcircular axis of rotation. The longitudinal spacing of the ring segments465 may be uniform, or irregular. The cradle 470 may further include oneor more longitudinal frame members 471, and the ring segments 465 may berigidly mounted on the frame members 471 to space the ring segments 465longitudinally and align them concentrically.

As best seen in FIG. 13, the first semi-cylindrical shell 410 may beformed from panels 415 by laying the panels 415, which may be one-by-onein sequence, in the cradle 470 to form the first semi-cylindrical shell410. The cradle 470 supports the panels 415 thus assembled to maintainthe semi-cylindrical shape of the first semi-cylindrical shell 410. Asnoted above, the panels 400 may be the longitudinal curved panels 250,and thus, as shown in FIG. 13A, laying the panels 415 in the cradle 470to form the first semi-cylindrical shell 410 may include joining thepanels 250 at abutting edges by mating the tongue 258 of one panel 250with the groove 259 of an abutting panel 250 to form a joint 260 beingjoint 435, and joining the multiple panels 415 in sequence to form thefirst semi-cylindrical shell 410.

As noted above, one or more of the panels 400 may be panels 401 formedwith a profile or projection, which may be a longitudinal rail 457. Insuch case, one or more of the ring segments 465 may be ring segments 466formed with one or more recesses 472 sized, shaped, and positioned so asfittingly to receive the longitudinal rail 457 when the panel 401 islaid in the cradle 470, as best seen in FIGS. 11, 11B and 13. Therecesses 472 may be sized and shaped such that an inside surface 473 ofthe recess 472 fittingly contacts an outside surface 458 of thelongitudinal rail 457, or they may be sized and shaped to provide a gapbetween the inside surface 473 of the recess 472 and the outside surface458 of the longitudinal rail 457. In this way, although the firstsemi-cylindrical shell 410 including panels 401 having longitudinalrails 457 would not have an external surface that is an unbrokensemi-cylinder, the ring segments 466 with recesses 472 provide outerradial surfaces 467 that are smooth, unbroken semi-annuli. Theusefulness of this feature will become apparent below.

Having formed the first semi-cylindrical shell 410 in the cradle 470, atleast one spacer 480 may be placed in the first semi-cylindrical shell410, which may be upright in the first semi-cylindrical shell 410. Aswill be seen below, the spacer is sized, shaped, and configured to spaceat least some of the panels 400 to maintain a cylindrical shape of thecylindrical shell 405, once assembled.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the at least on spacer 480 may includeat least one circular spacing disk 481, which may be placed upright andconcentrically in the first semi-cylindrical shell 410 so as to contactrespective inside surfaces of at least some of the panels 415 of thefirst semi-cylindrical shell 410. In this way, the firstsemi-cylindrical shell 410 may support the at least one circular spacingdisk 481. The at least one spacing disk 481 may include a plurality ofrigidly assembled parts, which may include a first semi-disk 482 and asecond semi-disk 483 configured for rigid assembly to form the circularspacing disk 481. For this purpose, the first semi-disk 482 and secondsemi-disk 483 may include any suitable fastening means (not shown)configured reversibly, but rigidly, to assemble the first semi-disk 482and second semi-disk 483 to form the circular spacing disk 481. Forexample, the first semi-disk 482 and second semi-disk 483 may each haveone or more cooperating through holes (not shown) sized and space toreceive cooperating bolts, such that when the through holes are aligned,bolts are passed therethrough, and affixed using cooperating nuts, thefirst semi-disk 482 and second semi-disk 483 are rigidly, butreversibly, assembled into the circular spacing disk 481. The circularspacing disk 481 including the first semi-disk 482 and second semi-disk483 may be provided with one or more openings 484, which may becircular, and/or one or more scallops 485, which may be semi-circular,along a circumference thereof. The spacing disk 481, including the firstsemi-disk 482 and second semi-disk 483 may be formed of any suitablematerial, and in some embodiments is formed of a metal which may includesteel or aluminum.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 15, the spacer 480 may include at leastone circular spacing ring 486 comprising an annular rim 487 formed withan outer U-shaped channel sized and shaped fittingly to receive aninflatable annular tube 488. The annular rim 487 may be formed of anysuitable material, and in some embodiments is formed of a metal, whichmay include aluminum or steel. The inflatable annular tube 488 may beformed of any suitable material, and in some embodiments is formed ofrubber or plastic. The inflatable annular tube 488 may comprise anyconnection means 489 suitable to connect the inflatable annular tube 488to a pressure source (not shown), such as a hydraulic or pneumatic pump,operable to pressurize the inflatable annular tube 488 and thereby toexpand an outer circumference of the inflatable annular tube 488. Therim 487 may include one or more through holes 490 to allow passage of aportion 491 of the tube 488 to facilitate connection of the connectionmeans 489 to a hose 492 or other connection to the pressure source. Asshown in FIG. 15, in some embodiments the portion 491 of the tube 488traverses through holes 490, and is a segment of the tube 488. In otherembodiments, the portion 491 is a radial segment cement or welded ontothe tube 488, and may be similar to an inflation stem of a bicycle tube.In some embodiments, the spacer 480 is configured and arrangedsubstantially similarly to a bicycle rim omitting the hub and spokes,and bicycle tube.

As shown in FIG. 16, having placed the at least one spacer 480 in thefirst semi-cylindrical shell 410, the second semi-cylindrical shell 420may be formed from panels 425, and this may be done in substantially thesame way as the first semi-cylindrical shell 410 may be formed frompanels 415 as described above, except instead of laying the panels 425in the cradle 470, the panels 425 may be laid atop the firstsemi-cylindrical shell 410 and the at least one spacer 480 to form thesecond semi-cylindrical shell 420. The at least one spacer 480 maycontact respective inside surfaces of at least some of the panels 425 ofthe second semi-cylindrical shell 420, and thereby support the secondsemi-cylindrical shell 420 while maintaining a semi-cylindrical shape ofthe second semi-cylindrical shell 420. As with the firstsemi-cylindrical shell 410, the panels 400 may be the longitudinalcurved panels 250, and thus laying the panels 425 as described above toform the second-semi-cylindrical shell may include joining the panels250 at abutting edges by mating the tongue 258 of one panel 250 with thegroove 259 of an abutting panel 250 to form a joint 260 being joint 435,and joining the multiple panels 415 in sequence. A last panel 426 solaid may form respective joints 435 at abutting panels 400 at eitheredge, to form the second semi-cylindrical shell 420.

In this way, the cylindrical shell 405 may be formed from the firstsemi-cylindrical shell 410 and the second semi-cylindrical shell 420.The at least one spacer 480 may space the panels 400 to maintain acylindrical shape of the cylindrical shell 405.

Importantly, the cylindrical shell 405 may be thus assembled withoutrequiring any tack welding. It is common in the art of welding toposition items to be welded together and then form tack, or spot, weldsas a temporary means to hold the components in the desired positionsuntil final welding can be performed. In some embodiments, the panels400 are free, or substantially free, of tack welds prior to creation offinal welds joining adjacent panels. The above-described methodincluding use of the cradle 470 and the at least one spacer 480 enablesassembly of the cylindrical shell 405 without need for tack welds tomaintain the desired positions of the panels 400. Further advantages ofthe absence of tack welds are discussed below.

Alternatively, in some embodiments tack welds may be used to dispensewith the at least one spacer 480. For example, following assembly of thefirst semi-cylindrical shell 410 as described above, the panels 415 maybe partly fastened, which may be by partial welding, which may be bytack welding, at seams of the joints 435 of the panels 415, thereby togive the first semi-cylindrical shell 410 a preconfigured partialrigidity. Then, the first semi-cylindrical shell 410 may be removed fromthe cradle 470, which may be by craning or any other suitableconveyancing means, and the second semi-cylindrical shell 420 may beformed in the cradle 470 in the manner described above and shown in FIG.13 with respect to the first semi-cylindrical shell 410. Then, thepartly-affixed first semi-cylindrical shell 410 may be turned-over, orflipped, and placed atop the second semi-cylindrical shell 420 to formthe cylindrical shell 405. Alternative methods are also possible, andthe principles disclosed herein are applicable to any method where thecylindrical shell 405 is formed from panels 400 while maintaining thecylindrical shape of the cylindrical shell 405.

Having formed the cylindrical shell 405, a second set of the ringsegments 460 may be ring segments 500 respectively paired with ringsegments 465 which form the cradle 470, as shown particularly in FIG.17. Each of the ring segments 465, 500 which forms a pair of the ringsegments 460 which together form an annular collar 430 may include ahalf of the annulus describing the annular collar 430, or in other wordswhich subtends about 180° of the annulus. Other variations andcombinations are possible. As shown especially in FIGS. 11, 11A and 17,the ring segments 500 may be laid atop the cylindrical shell 405 and thering segments 465 in pairwise fashion so as to oppose respectiveadjacent ends 505 of each pair of ring segments 460 to form the one ormore annular collars 430 conformably encircling the cylindrical shell405. The pair of ring segments 460 may be sized and shaped relative tothe cylindrical shell 405 so as to provide a small gap 506 at theopposing respective adjacent ends 505 when the collar 430 is formed.Without limitation, in some embodiments the gap is between 0.5″ and 4″(1.27 cm and 10.16 cm), or is between 1″ and 3″ (2.54 cm and 7.62 cm),or is about 2″ (5.08 cm). The collar 430 may be provided withconstricting means 510 where the respective adjacent ends 505 of thepair of ring segments 460 oppose. For example, the ring segments 460 mayinclude through holes in flanges 507 at the respective adjacent ends 505of the pair of ring segments 460 where they oppose, and a bolt 511 andnut 512 combination. By inserting the bolt 511 into the through holes,threading the nut 512 onto the bolt 511, and tightening the nut 512 inthe known manner, the ends 505 may be drawn together, reducing the gap506, causing an inner surface of the collar 430 to apply a substantiallyuniform centripetal force about the circumference of the cylindricalshell 405. In this way, at least some of the pairs of panels 400 may becompressed at their respective joints 435. One or more of the collars430 may be provided with substantially similar constricting means 510 ateach of the respective adjacent ends 505 where the pair of ring segments460 oppose, as shown in FIG. 11. Alternatively, the pair of ringsegments 460 may be provided with a fixed attachment, for example ahinge, at one side, and constricting means 510 at the other side. Insome embodiments, the constricting means 510 may include one or more ofa ratchet, a cam lever, or a motor. Other configurations are possible toprovide the function of constricting the cylindrical shell 405 in orderto compress at least some of the pairs of panels 400 at their respectivejoints 435.

Having clamped and constricted the cylindrical shell 405 in this way, itmay become unnecessary to retain the spacers 480 in order to maintainthe cylindrical shape of the cylindrical shell 405. The pressuredeveloped at the joints 435 may be sufficient to maintain thecylindrical shape of the cylindrical shell 405. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 18, the spacers 480 (not shown in FIG. 18, but shown in FIGS. 14through 17) may be removed leaving the cylindrical shell 405 with anunobstructed hollow. For example, where the spacers 480 include at leastone circular spacing disk 481, removal may include disassembling it intothe first semi-disk 482 and second semi-disk 483, for example byloosening of the nuts and removal of the bolts in the aligned throughholes which hold the first semi-disk 482 and second semi-disk 483together, followed by removal of the first semi-disk 482 and secondsemi-disk 483 from the interior of the cylindrical shell 405. Where thespacers 480 include at least one circular spacing ring 486, removal mayinclude at least particular release of pressure from the inflatableannular tube 488 so as at least partially to deflate it thereby toreduce pressure between the inflatable annular tube 488 and the insidesurface of the cylindrical shell 405, followed by removal of thecircular spacing ring 486 from the interior of the cylindrical shell405.

As discussed above, the cylindrical shell 405 may be formed free, orsubstantially free, of tack welds or other adjoining alterations orfasteners prior to the formation of final welds to join the panels 400.In such case, the additional advantage may be achieved that thecentripetal constriction of the cylindrical shell 405 using the collars430 and constricting means 510 to compress at least some of the pairs ofpanels 400 at their respective joints 435 may do so more effectively ormore optimally, as compared to when tack welds are used, inasmuch as thepanels 400, when free or substantially free of tack welds, are more freeto move at the joints 435, and thus a more compressed joint 435 may beachieved, thereby enabling a superior final weld.

As shown in FIG. 19, with the interior hollow of the cylindrical shell405 unobstructed, the inside seams 445 of the joints 435 of respectivepairs of panels 400 may be welded in a single welding operation toproduce a welded inside seam 446.

As is known in the art, superior welds are usually formed when the heatsource is applied directly vertically above the seam to be welded, suchthat the weld pool formed by fusion of the materials at the joint restsin the seam and is not drawn, or is minimally drawn, by gravity awayfrom the joint. When the heat source is not directly vertically abovethe seam, but is displaced angularly from this position, and especiallyif it is directly vertically below the seam, then there may occur atleast some flow of the weld pool away from an optimal position in thejoint, and the quality of the weld may be reduced. Thus, it ispreferable to weld ‘downwardly’, that is with the heat source directlyvertically above the seam to be welded.

Thus, in order to produce a superior welded seam 446, the assembly ofthe cylindrical shell 405 and collars 430 may be rolled, or rotatedabout the longitudinal axis L* of the cylindrical shell 405 (shown inFIG. 8) to bring the joint 435 to a lower position 440, and the insideseam 445 may be welded to produce the welded inside seam 446 when at thelower position 440. The lower position 440 may be substantially thelowermost point on the inner circumference of the cylindrical shell 405,or in other words the lower position 440 may be plumb the longitudinalaxis L*. Alternatively, the lower position 440 may be angularlydisplaced from the lowermost point by a predetermined or limited amount.Without limitation, the joint 435 may be angularly displaced from thelowermost point by less than about 90°, or less than about 70°, or lessthan about 45°, or less than about 10°. Positioning of the inside seam445 at the lower position 440 in this way which enables the productionof a welded inside seam 446 of superior strength and quality as comparedto a welded seam when the seam must be welded not downwardly, butinstead upwardly or at an intermediate angle.

In order to roll the assembly of the cylindrical shell 405 and thecollars 430, the assembly may be placed on a rolling apparatus 520configured to enable the above-described rolling of the assembly of thecylindrical shell 405 and the collars 430. For example, the rollingapparatus 520 may include one or more, which may be at least a pair, oftank rollers 521 including a base 522 and at least a pair of cylindricalrollers 523 mounted on the base 522. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 20, therollers 523 of the rolling apparatus 520 may contact and support outerannular surfaces 467 of corresponding collars 430. The tank rollers 521may include one or more motors (not shown) to drive one or more of therollers 523. As described above, the collars 430 may be substantiallycircular in shape, and thus the assembly of the cylindrical shell 405and the collars 430 may be smoothly and easily rolled through 360° aboutthe longitudinal axis L* using the tank rollers 521. Moreover, bysupporting the collars 430 with the rollers 523 of the tank rollers 521as opposed to the outer surface of the cylindrical shell 405, if thecylindrical shell 405 includes one or more panels 401 formed with aprofile or projection, which may be longitudinal rails 457, and thecollars 430 include ring segments 466 formed with corresponding recesses472 (best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12), then the projections impose noobstacle to the smooth and uninterrupted rolling of the assembly of thecylindrical shell 405 and the collars 430 through one or more fullrotations about the longitudinal axis L*.

The assembly of the cylindrical shell 405 and the collars 430 may beplaced on the rolling apparatus 520 after assembly, by using a crane orother conveyancing means, for example, or as shown in FIGS. 12-18, thecradle 470 may initially be formed and positioned on the rollingapparatus 520 and the assembly of the cylindrical shell 405 and thecollars 430 may be assembled while the cradle 470 is supported by therolling apparatus 520.

The inside seam 445 of each joint 435 may be welded by any suitablemeans. For example, each inside seam 445 may be welded manually by ahuman welder using a welding apparatus 530, and this may be facilitatedby the absence of any obstacle within the hollow of the cylindricalshell 405. The welding apparatus 530 may include a handheld torch, oralternatively, as shown in FIG. 19, may include a welding carriage 531including a welding head 532 slidingly suspended from a suspension line533 supported at opposite ends by suspension line supports (not shown).The welding head 532 may be movable along the seam 445 by a humanoperator, or the welding carriage 531 may be movable automatically, andthus may include robotic means, which may include robotic motion systemsand/or robotic vision systems. As shown in FIG. 19, the welding head 532may include a single welding torch 534, or as shown in FIG. 20 it mayhave more than one welding torch 534, which may be two welding torches534. In the latter case, the welding apparatus 530 may be operable toweld two inside seams 445 at a time, per motion of the of the weldinghead 532 from one end of the cylindrical shell 405 to the other end, andfor each pair of seams 445 the cylindrical shell 405 may be rolledeither to position one of the two seams 445 at the lowermost position440, or instead to position a midpoint between the two seams 445 at thelowermost position 440 so as to minimize a displacement of each seamfrom the lowermost position 440.

The form and nature of the welding apparatus 530, including the weldinghead 532 and welding torch 534, may depend on the material of the panels400, and in general will be selected according to the material of thepanels 400. For example, when the panels 400 are formed of aluminum, thewelding apparatus 530 may include any suitable welding technology,appropriate for the material to be welded, and in some embodimentsincludes steel or aluminum welding technologies, which may includeconstant voltage, constant current, pulsed welding, or laser weldingtechnology.

As shown in FIG. 21, once all of the inner seams 445 of the joints 435are welded to form welded inner seams 446, the outer seams 455 of thejoints 435 may be welded to form welded outer seams 456. The collars 430may be removed in order to expose the entire outer surface of thecylindrical shell 405, including the entire length of each outer seam455 without obstacle. For example, the assembly of the cylindrical shell405 and collars 430 may be lifted using a crane or other conveyancingmeans, the collars 430 may be removed by unfastening the constrictingmeans 510 and separating and removing the ring segments 460, and thecylindrical shell 405 may be replaced on the rolling apparatus 520. Thewelded inner seams 446 may provide sufficient structural strength to thecylindrical shell 405 that substantially no movement, or minimalmovement, or movement within preconfigured tolerances, occurs of thepanels 400 relative to one another during movement of the cylindricalshell 405.

When the rolling apparatus 520 includes the tank rollers 521, as shownin FIG. 21, the cylindrical shell 405 may be rolled, or rotated, aboutits longitudinal axis L* to bring each outer seam 455 in turn to anupper position 540, which may be substantially the uppermost point onthe outer circumference of the cylindrical shell 405, or in other wordsdirectly vertically above the longitudinal axis L*. Each outer seam 455may be welded to form a welded outer seam 456 in substantially the sameway as the inner seams 445 are welded to form the welded inner seams446. Thus, as shown in FIG. 21, a welding apparatus 550 may be providedand suspended above the cylindrical shell 405 which is substantiallysimilar to the welding apparatus 530 used to weld the inner seams 445,and described above. As was the case with the inner seams 445,positioning of the outer seam 455 at the upper position 540 anddisposition of the welding apparatus 550 directly above the outer seam455, thereby enabling vertically downward welding of the outer seam 455,may enable the production of a welded outer seam 456 of superiorstrength and quality as compared to a welded seam when the seam must bewelded not downwardly, but instead upwardly or at an intermediate angle.

As shown in FIG. 21, if the cylindrical shell 405 includes panels 401having longitudinal rails 457, then the cylindrical shell 405 may not berotatable though a full 360° about its longitudinal axis L*, as at acertain point in its rotation the longitudinal rails 457 may collidewith the rollers 523 of the tank rollers 521. In such case, a crane orother conveyancing means may be used to lift and roll the cylindricalshell 405 past these obstructions, after which the cylindrical shell 405may be replaced on the tank rollers 521.

Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 23 the rolling apparatus 520 mayinclude additionally or alternatively a raised roller apparatus 550comprising at least a pair of raised roller carriages 555 eachcomprising a frame 556 supporting a roller assembly 557 mounted on theframe 556, the roller assembly 557 having at least one, which may betwo, rollers 558 which may include rotatably mounted wheels. One or moreof the roller assemblies 557 may include or interface with a motor 559mounted and connected to drive one or more of the rollers 558. Theraised roller carriage 555 may be placed to position the rollers 558 tocontact and support the cylindrical shell 405 at an inner surface of atop half of the cylindrical shell 405, such that the rollers 558 areturnable with a rotation of the cylindrical shell 405 about itslongitudinal axis L*. The motor 559 may drive one or more of the rollers558 of either or both of the raised roller carriages 555 thereby torotate the cylindrical shell 405 about its longitudinal axis L*. All ofthe rollers 558 may be driven in this way, or some may be undriven andturn freely with the rotation of the cylindrical shell 405. One or bothof the raised roller carriages 555 may rest stationary on the ground andthe frame 556 may have a footing 600 for such purpose. One or both ofthe raised roller lift carriages 555 may be configured to roll along atrack 601, and thus the frame 556 may have a corresponding wheeledsuspension 602 configured and positioned for mounting the raised rollercarriage 555 on the track 601. The track 601 may be so positioned toenable rolling of the raised roller carriage 555 along the longitudinalaxis L* of the cylindrical shell 405 so as to enable an upper portion603 of the frame 556 and thus the roller assembly 557 into thecylindrical shell 405 for placement of the cylindrical shell 405 ontothe roller assembly 557 to support the cylindrical shell 405 on therollers 558.

The cylindrical shell 405 may be positioned and placed to be rollablysupported by the raised roller carriages 555 in any suitable way. Forexample, one or both of the raised roller carriages 555 may be moved toa retreated position, the cylindrical shell 405 may be moved into apreconfigured place between the roller lift carriages 555, which may beby lifting using a crane or other conveyancing means, the one or both ofthe raised roller carriages 555 may be moved to an advanced position toas to bring the upper portion 603 and roller assemblies 557 into thecorresponding opposite ends of the cylindrical shell 405, and thecylindrical shell 405 may be then be lowered onto the roller assemblies557, and thus be rollably supported by the roller assemblies 557 andraised roller carriages 555 as described. Alternative methods andconfigurations are possible.

The raised roller apparatus 550 may be used additionally oralternatively to the tank rollers 521 in order to roll the cylindricalshell 405 in order to weld the inner seams 445 and/or outer seams 455 ofthe joints 435, as described above. Use of the raised roller apparatus550 shown in FIG. 22 produces a number of advantages. Unlike the tankrollers 521, the inclusion in the cylindrical shell 405 of longitudinalrails 457 presents no obstacle to rotation of the cylindrical shell 405a full 360° about its longitudinal axis L* using the raised rollerapparatus 550, as the inside surface of the cylindrical shell 405 maypossess no corresponding obstacles which might collide with the rollers558 of the raised roller assemblies 557. Moreover, the assembly of thecylindrical shell 405 and the collars 430 and the spacers 480 may bepositioned and placed on the raised roller carriages 555, as describedabove, and once the spacers 480 are removed, performance of weldingoperations both inside and outside of the cylindrical shell 405 may beperformed without need of a further step to lift the cylindrical shell405 and collars 430 in order to remove the collars 430 to permit weldingof the outside seams 455.

Providing both welded inner seams 446 and welded outer seams 456 mayprovide for a stronger and more water-tight weld, as compared toproviding only welded inner seams 446 or only welded outer seams 456. Insome embodiments, however, it may be sufficient to provide only weldedinner seams 446 or only welded outer seams 456, and yet provide a weldedcylindrical shell with sufficient strength, integrity, and/orwater-tightness, for the particular application of the embodiment. Insuch case, manufacture of the cylindrical shell 405 may be simplified.

The techniques described above may provide numerous advantages. Forexample, by enabling the welding of seams in an optimal, downwardposition, the cylindrical shell may be provided with improved, oroptimal, or maximal structural strength and integrity. Moreover,formation of the cylindrical shell followed by centripetal constrictionusing the collars and constricting means, thereby developing pressure atthe panel joints, may also improve the structural strength and integrityof the welded seams. This may be true especially as compared to weldedseams formed if the panels are assembled only loosely, and not undersuch pressure. The improvement in structural strength and integrity ofthe welded seams, and thus the cylindrical shell, may be sufficient toreduce or eliminate the requirement for other structural elements, forexample ribs or internal and/or external flanges, in some embodiments.Moreover, the improved integrity of the welded seams may enable theproduction of a water-tight, or substantially water-tight, container.

Moreover, the use of the collars and rolling apparatus may reduce orminimize manufacturing time by reducing or minimizing the time requiredto bring each seam to an optimal vertically downward position forwelding. Moreover, the use of the spacers may enable the formation ofthe cylindrical shell under pressure thereby enabling many of theadvantages described above. Finally, the techniques described herein mayreduce, and may reduce substantially, the time and effort required toconstruct cylindrical trailers from longitudinal panels.

The cylindrical shell manufactured as described herein may form and beused to construct a cylindrical cargo container, including a cylindricalcargo container for a tanker truck, or a trailer, or a railcar, which inturn may be used to construct a tanker truck, a trailer, or a railcarrespectively, by assembly with any desired additional components, asdiscussed hereinabove and as known in the art.

The following are examples according to the disclosure herein.

Example 1. A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container, themethod comprising: providing a plurality of rigid panels togetherformable into a cylindrical shell, each panel comprising an oblongcylinder segment of the cylindrical shell; providing a plurality ofpairs of ring segments, each pair of ring segments formable into acollar sized and shaped conformably to encircle the cylindrical shell;providing a cradle comprising a first set of the ring segmentslongitudinally spaced and aligned concentrically to form asemi-cylindrical frame conforming to the cylindrical shell; laying afirst set of the panels in the cradle so as to abut respectivelongitudinal edges of each pair of adjacent panels to form a firstsemi-cylindrical shell; placing at least one circular spacer upright andconcentrically in the first semi-cylindrical shell so as to contactrespective inside surfaces of at least some of the panels of the firstsemi-cylindrical shell whereby the first semi-cylindrical shell supportsthe at least one circular spacer; laying a second set of the panels atopthe first semi-cylindrical shell and the at least one circular spacer soas to abut respective longitudinal edges of each pair of adjacent panelsto form a second semi-cylindrical shell atop the first semi-cylindricalshell and the at least one circular spacer, and so as to abut respectivelongitudinal edges of outermost adjacent pairs of the first set ofpanels and the second set of panels, wherein: the at least one circularspacer contacts respective inside surfaces of at least some of thepanels of the second semi-cylindrical shell, supports the secondsemi-cylindrical shell, and maintains a cylindrical shape of thecylindrical shell; the abutting respective longitudinal edges of eachpair of adjacent panels forms a joint; and the first semi-cylindricalshell and the second-semi-cylindrical shell together form thecylindrical shell; laying a second set of the ring segments atop thecylindrical shell and the first set of ring segments in pairwise fashionso as to oppose respective adjacent ends of each pair of ring segmentsthereby forming the collars conformably encircling the cylindricalshell; clamping the cylindrical shell by constricting the collars usingconstricting means provided at the opposing respective adjacent ends ofeach pair of ring segments, thereby compressing at least some of thepairs of longitudinal panels at their respective joints; removing the atleast one circular spacer, whereby a hollow of the cylindrical shell isunobstructed; using a rolling apparatus to roll the cylindrical shelland collars about a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shell so assequentially to bring the joint of each pair of panels to a lowerposition, and welding an inside seam of the joint when at the lowerposition; removing the collars from the cylindrical shell; and using therolling apparatus to roll the cylindrical shell and collars about thelongitudinal axis of the cylindrical shell so as sequentially to bringthe joint of each pair of panels to an upper position, and welding anoutside seam of the joint when at the upper position.

Example 2. A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container, themethod comprising: providing a plurality of rigid panels togetherformable into a cylindrical shell, each panel comprising a cylindersegment of the cylindrical shell; providing a plurality of pairs of ringsegments, each pair of ring segments formable into a collar sized andshaped conformably to encircle the cylindrical shell; providing a cradleformed from a first set of the ring segments; laying a first set of thepanels in the cradle to form a first semi-cylindrical shell; placing atleast one spacer in the first semi-cylindrical shell; laying a secondset of the panels atop the first semi-cylindrical shell and the at leastone spacer to form a second semi-cylindrical shell, the firstsemi-cylindrical shell and the second-semi-cylindrical shell togetherforming the cylindrical shell, the at least one spacer spacing thepanels to maintain a cylindrical shape of the cylindrical shell; layinga second set of the ring segments atop the cylindrical shell and thefirst set of ring segments in pairwise fashion so as to form the collarsconformably encircling the cylindrical shell; clamping the cylindricalshell by constricting the collars using constricting means provided ateach collar, thereby compressing joints formed at abutting respectiveedges of each pair of adjacent panels; removing the at least one spacer,whereby a hollow of the cylindrical shell is unobstructed; using arolling apparatus to roll the cylindrical shell and collars about alongitudinal axis of the cylindrical shell so as sequentially to bringthe joint of each pair of panels to a lower position, and welding aninside seam of the joint when at the lower position; removing thecollars from the cylindrical shell; using the rolling apparatus to rollthe cylindrical shell and collars about a longitudinal axis of thecylindrical shell so as sequentially to bring the joint of each pair ofpanels to an upper position, and welding an outside of the joint when atthe upper position.

Example 3. A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container, themethod comprising: providing a plurality of rigid panels, each panelcomprising a cylinder segment; forming a cylindrical shell from thepanels; forming at least one collar conformably encircling thecylindrical shell; constricting the at least one collar to compresslongitudinal joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacentpanels; moving respective joints of pairs of panels to a lower position,and welding respective inside seams of the joints when at the lowerposition.

Example 4. The method according to Example 3, wherein each panelcomprises an oblong cylinder segment of the cylindrical shell.

Example 5. The method according to Example 3 or 4, wherein forming thecylindrical shell from the panels comprises: forming a firstsemi-cylindrical shell from a first set of the panels; forming a secondsemi-cylindrical shell from a second set of the panels; and forming thecylindrical shell from the first semi-cylindrical shell and the secondsemi-cylindrical shell.

Example 6. The method according to any one of Examples 3 to 5, whereineach of the at least one collar comprises a pair of ring segmentsformable into the collar sized and shaped conformably to encircle thecylindrical shell.

Example 7. The method according to Example 6 when dependent on Example5, wherein forming the first semi-cylindrical shell from a first set ofthe panels comprises: providing a cradle comprising a first set of thering segments longitudinally spaced and aligned concentrically to form asemi-cylindrical frame conforming to the cylindrical shell; and laying afirst set of the panels in the cradle so as to abut respectivelongitudinal edges of each pair of adjacent panels to form the firstsemi-cylindrical shell.

Example 8. The method according to Example 5, or Examples 6 or 7 whendependent on Example 5, wherein forming the second semi-cylindricalshell from a second set of the panels comprises: assembling a second setof the panels so as to abut respective longitudinal edges of each pairof adjacent panels to form the second semi-cylindrical shell.

Example 9. The method according to Example 8, wherein forming thecylindrical shell from the first semi-cylindrical shell and the secondsemi-cylindrical shell comprises: laying the second semi-cylindricalshell atop the first semi-cylindrical shell so as to abut respectivelongitudinal edges of outermost adjacent pairs of the first set ofpanels and the second set of panels, wherein the abutting respectivelongitudinal edges of each pair of adjacent panels forms a joint.

Example 10. The method according to Example 8, wherein forming thesecond semi-cylindrical shell from the second set of the panels, andforming the cylindrical shell from the first semi-cylindrical shell andthe second semi-cylindrical shell, comprises: laying the second set ofthe panels atop the first semi-cylindrical shell so as to abutrespective longitudinal edges of each pair of adjacent panels to formthe second semi-cylindrical shell atop the first semi-cylindrical shell,and so as to abut respective longitudinal edges of outermost adjacentpairs of the first set of panels and the second set of panels, whereinthe abutting respective longitudinal edges of each pair of adjacentpanels forms a joint.

Example 11. The method according to Example 9 or 10, wherein therespective longitudinal edges of each pair of adjacent panels comprise atongue and a groove, and the joint is formed by mating the tongue of onepanel with the groove of the abutting panel.

Example 12. The method according to Example 10 or 11 further comprising:after forming the first semi-cylindrical shell from the first set of thepanels, and before forming the cylindrical shell from the firstsemi-cylindrical shell and the second semi-cylindrical shell, placing atleast one spacer in the first semi-cylindrical shell, the at least onespacer spacing at least some of the panels to maintain a cylindricalshape of the cylindrical shell.

Example 13. The method according to Example 12, wherein the at least onespacer is circular.

Example 14. The method according to Example 12 or 13, wherein placing atleast one spacer in the first semi-cylindrical shell comprises placingthe at least one spacer upright and concentrically in the firstsemi-cylindrical shell so as to contact respective inside surfaces of atleast some of the panels of the first semi-cylindrical shell whereby thefirst semi-cylindrical shell supports the at least one spacer.

Example 15. The method according to any one of Examples 12 to 14,wherein forming the second semi-cylindrical shell from the second set ofthe panels, and forming the cylindrical shell from the firstsemi-cylindrical shell and the second semi-cylindrical shell, furthercomprises: laying the second set of the panels atop the firstsemi-cylindrical shell and the at least one spacer so as to abut therespective longitudinal edges of each pair of the adjacent panels toform the second semi-cylindrical shell atop the first semi-cylindricalshell and the at least one spacer, and so as to abut the respectivelongitudinal edges of the outermost adjacent pairs of the first set ofpanels and the second set of panels, wherein: the at least one spacercontacts respective inside surfaces of at least some of the panels ofthe second semi-cylindrical shell, supports the second semi-cylindricalshell, and maintains a cylindrical shape of the cylindrical shell.

Example 16. The method according to any one of Examples 12 to 15,further comprising, after constricting the at least one collar tocompress the longitudinal joints formed at the abutting edges of pairsof adjacent panels, and before welding the respective inside seams ofthe joints when at the lower position: removing the at least one spacer,whereby an interior of the cylindrical shell is unobstructed.

Example 17. The method according to any one of Examples 12 to 16,wherein the at least one spacer comprises at least one circular spacingdisk.

Example 18. The method according to Example 17, wherein the at least onespacing disk comprising a first semi-disk and a second semi-diskconfigured for rigid assembly to form the circular spacing disk andconfigured for disassembly, wherein removing the at least one spacercomprises disassembling the at least one spacing disk into the firstsemi-disk and the second semi-disk and removing the first semi-disk andthe second semi-disk from the interior of the cylindrical shell.

Example 19. The method according to any one of Examples 12 to 16,wherein the at least one spacer comprises at least one circular spacingring comprising an annular rim formed with an outer U-shaped channelsized and shaped fittingly to receive an inflatable annular tube.

Example 20. The method according to Example 19, wherein removing the atleast one spacer comprises deflating the inflatable annular tube toreduce pressure between the inflatable annular tube and an insidesurface of the cylindrical shell, and removal of the circular spacingring from an interior of the cylindrical shell.

Example 21. The method according to Example 7 or any one of Examples 8to 20 when dependent on Example 7, wherein forming the at least onecollar conformably encircling the cylindrical shell comprises: laying asecond set of the ring segments atop the cylindrical shell and the firstset of ring segments in pairwise fashion so as to oppose respectiveadjacent ends of each pair of ring segments thereby forming the collarsconformably encircling the cylindrical shell.

Example 22. The method according to Example 6 or any one of Examples 7to 21 when dependent on Example 6, wherein constricting the at least onecollar to compress the longitudinal joints formed at abutting edges ofpairs of adjacent panels comprises: clamping the cylindrical shell byconstricting the collars using constricting means provided at theopposing respective adjacent ends of each pair of ring segments, therebycompressing at least some of the pairs of longitudinal panels at theirrespective joints.

Example 23. The method according to any one of Examples 3 to 22, whereinmoving the respective joints of pairs of panels to the lower position,and welding the respective inside seams of the joints when at the lowerposition, comprises sequentially moving the respective joints of thepairs of panels to the lower position, and welding the inside seam ofthe joint when at the lower position.

Example 24. The method according to any one of Examples 3 to 23, furthercomprising, after welding the inside seams of the joints: removing theat least one collar from the cylindrical shell; moving the respectivejoints of the pairs of panels to an upper position, and weldingrespective outside seams of the joints when at the upper position.

Example 25. The method according to Example 24, wherein moving therespective joints of pairs of panels to the upper position, and weldingthe respective outside seams of the joints when at the upper position,comprises sequentially moving the respective joints of the pairs ofpanels to the upper position, and welding the outside seam of the jointwhen at the upper position.

Example 26. The method according to any one of Examples 3 to 25, whereinmoving the respective joints of pairs of panels to the lower positioncomprises rolling the cylindrical shell and at least one collar to bringthe respective joints of pairs of panels to the lower position.

Example 27. The method according to Example 24 or 25, wherein moving therespective joints of pairs of panels to the upper position comprisesrolling the cylindrical shell and at least one collar to bring therespective joints of pairs of panels to the upper position.

Example 28. The method according to Example 26 or 27, wherein rollingthe cylindrical shell and at least one collar comprises rolling thecylindrical shell and at least one collar together about a longitudinalaxis of the cylindrical shell.

Example 29. The method according to any one of Examples 26 to 28,wherein rolling the cylindrical shell and at least one collar comprisesrolling the cylindrical shell and at least one collar together using arolling apparatus.

Example 30. The method according to Example 29, wherein the rollingapparatus comprises a tank roller.

Example 31. The method according to Example 29, wherein the rollingapparatus comprises a raised roller apparatus comprising at least a pairof raised roller carriages each comprising a frame supporting a rollerassembly mounted on the frame, the roller assembly having at least oneroller for contacting and supporting the cylindrical shell at an innersurface of a top half of the cylindrical shell, wherein the rollers areturnable for rolling of the cylindrical shell about a longitudinal axisof the cylindrical shell.

Example 32. The method according to Example 31, wherein at least one ofthe raised roller carriages is configured to roll along a track forpositioning of the raised roller carriage to move an upper portion ofthe frame and the roller assembly into the cylindrical shell forplacement of the cylindrical shell onto the roller assembly to supportthe cylindrical shell on the rollers.

Example 33. The method according to any one of Examples 3 to 32, whereinat least one of the panels comprises a projection, and the at least onecollar comprises a recess sized and shaped fittingly to receive theprojection.

Example 34. The method according to Example 33, wherein the projectioncomprises a longitudinal rail.

Example 35. The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 34, whereinthe lower position is angularly displaced from a lowermost point by lessthan 90°.

Example 36. The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 34, whereinthe lower position is angularly displaced from a lowermost point by lessthan 70°.

Example 37. The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 34, whereinthe lower position is angularly displaced from a lowermost point by lessthan 45°.

Example 38. The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 34, whereinthe lower position is angularly displaced from a lowermost point by lessthan 10°.

Example 39. The method according to Example 1, 2, or 24, or any one ofExamples 25 to 38 when dependent on Example 24, wherein the upperposition is angularly displaced from an uppermost point by less than90°.

Example 40. The method according to Example 1, 2, or 24, or any one ofExamples 25 to 38 when dependent on Example 24, wherein the upperposition is angularly displaced from an uppermost point by less than70°.

Example 41. The method according to Example 1, 2, or 24, or any one ofExamples 25 to 38 when dependent on Example 24, wherein the upperposition is angularly displaced from an uppermost point by less than45°.

Example 42. The method according to Example 1, 2, or 24, or any one ofExamples 25 to 38 when dependent on Example 24, wherein the upperposition is angularly displaced from an uppermost point by less than10°.

Example 43. The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 42, whereinthe cylindrical cargo container constitutes at least a part of a tankertruck, a tanker trailer, or a tanker railcar.

Example 44. The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 43,wherein, prior to welding the inside seams of the joints of the pairs ofpanels, the cylindrical shell is free, or substantially free, of tackwelds.

Example 45. The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 44,wherein, prior to clamping the cylindrical shell by constricting thecollars, the cylindrical shell is free, or substantially free, of tackwelds.

Example 46. A cylindrical cargo container manufactured by the methodaccording to any one of Examples 1 to 45.

Example 47. A cylindrical cargo container formed of a plurality of rigidpanels into a cylindrical shell, wherein adjacent pairs of the panelsare joined by single final welds and are free or substantially free oftack welds.

Example 48. An apparatus for manufacturing a cylindrical cargo containercomprising a cylindrical shell, the apparatus comprising: a cradlecomprising a first set of ring segments longitudinally spaced andaligned concentrically to form a semi-cylindrical frame; a second set ofring segments corresponding respectively pairwise to the first set ofring segments, wherein each pair of the first set of ring segments andthe second set of ring segments is configured for assembly to form acorresponding annular collar, to form a cylindrical frame from thecradle and the second set of ring segments; and constricting means at atleast one of the collars to constrict the collar.

Example 49. The apparatus according to Example 48, comprisingconstricting means at a plurality of the collars.

Example 50. The apparatus according to Example 48 or 49, wherein thecradle further comprises at least one longitudinal frame member, whereinthe first set of ring segments are rigidly mounted on the at least onelongitudinal frame member to space the first set of ring segmentslongitudinally and align them concentrically.

Example 51. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 48 to 50,further comprising a rolling apparatus configured to roll thecylindrical frame about a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical frame.

Example 52. The apparatus according to Example 51, wherein the rollingapparatus comprises a tank roller.

Example 53. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 48 to 50,further comprising a raised roller apparatus configured to roll acylindrical shell formed using the cylindrical frame, the raised rollerapparatus comprising at least a pair of raised roller carriages eachcomprising a frame supporting a roller assembly mounted on the frame,the roller assembly having at least one roller for contacting andsupporting the cylindrical shell at an inner surface of a top half ofthe cylindrical shell, wherein the rollers are turnable for rolling ofthe cylindrical shell about a longitudinal axis of the cylindricalshell.

Example 54. The apparatus according to Example 53, wherein at least oneof the raised roller carriages is configured to roll along a track forpositioning of the raised roller carriage to move an upper portion ofthe frame and the roller assembly into the cylindrical shell forplacement of the cylindrical shell onto the roller assembly to supportthe cylindrical shell on the rollers.

Example 55. The apparatus according to any one of Examples 48 to 54further comprising at least one spacer to maintain a cylindrical shapeof the cylindrical shell during manufacturing of the cylindrical cargocontainer.

Example 56. The apparatus according to Example 55, wherein the at leastone spacer comprises at least one circular spacing disk.

Example 57. The apparatus according to Example 56, wherein the at leastone spacing disk comprising a first semi-disk and a second semi-diskconfigured for rigid assembly to form the circular spacing disk andconfigured for disassembly.

Example 58. The apparatus according to Example 55, wherein the at leastone spacer comprises at least one circular spacing ring comprising anannular rim formed with an outer U-shaped channel sized and shapedfittingly to receive an inflatable annular tube.

In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerousdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the artthat these specific details are not required. In particular, it will beappreciated that the various additional features shown in the drawingsare generally optional unless specifically identified herein asrequired. The above-described embodiments are intended to be examplesonly. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to theparticular embodiments by those of skill in the art. The scope of theclaims should not be limited by the particular embodiments set forthherein, but should be construed in a manner consistent with thespecification as a whole.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for manufacturing a cylindricalcargo container comprising a cylindrical shell, the apparatuscomprising: a cradle comprising a first set of ring segmentslongitudinally spaced and aligned concentrically to form asemi-cylindrical frame; a second set of ring segments correspondingrespectively pairwise to the first set of ring segments, wherein eachpair of the first set of ring segments and the second set of ringsegments is configured for assembly to form a corresponding annularcollar, to form a cylindrical frame from the cradle and the second setof ring segments; and constricting means at at least one of the collarsto constrict the collar.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1,comprising constricting means at a plurality of the collars.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cradle further comprises atleast one longitudinal frame member, wherein the first set of ringsegments are rigidly mounted on the at least one longitudinal framemember to space the first set of ring segments longitudinally and alignthem concentrically.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a rolling apparatus configured to roll the cylindrical frameabout a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical frame.
 5. The apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein the rolling apparatus comprises a tankroller.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising araised roller apparatus configured to roll the cylindrical shell formedusing the cylindrical frame, the raised roller apparatus comprising atleast a pair of raised roller carriages each comprising a framesupporting a roller assembly mounted on the frame, the roller assemblyhaving at least one roller for contacting and supporting the cylindricalshell at an inner surface of a top half of the cylindrical shell,wherein the rollers are turnable for rolling of the cylindrical shellabout a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shell.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein at least one of the raised rollercarriages is configured to roll along a track for positioning of theraised roller carriage to move an upper portion of the frame and theroller assembly into the cylindrical shell for placement of thecylindrical shell onto the roller assembly to support the cylindricalshell on the rollers.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1 furthercomprising at least one spacer to maintain a cylindrical shape of thecylindrical shell during manufacturing of the cylindrical cargocontainer.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the at leastone spacer comprises at least one circular spacing disk.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one spacing diskcomprising a first semi-disk and a second semi-disk configured for rigidassembly to form the circular spacing disk and configured fordisassembly.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the atleast one spacer comprises at least one circular spacing ring comprisingan annular rim formed with an outer U-shaped channel sized and shapedfittingly to receive an inflatable annular tube.